Discharge and distributing mechanism for concrete mixers



1932' A. FOSTER. JR,, ET AL DISCHARGE AND DISTRIBUTING MECHANISM FOR.CONCRETE MIXERS Filed Jan. 20. 1931 s Sheets-Sheet 1 fllaranderFoster; J; a

Charles I15 all,

Dec....13, 1932. FOSTER JR, ET AL 1,890,982

DISCHARGE AND DISTRIBUTING MECHANISM FOR CONCRETE MIXERS Filed Jan. 20, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1! 2mm Q & \Ix A gnwnkoca I fllaranderlhstez; Jr; a

Uharlesl'lBaZl,

is I I 1932- A. FOSTER. JR, ET AL 1,890,982

DISCHARGE AND DISTRIBUTING MECHANISM FOR CONCRETE MIXERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 20. 1951 giwantozl fllezrazzderfas fer; J2; a

Patented Dec. 13, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALEXANDER FOSTER, JR., 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, AN D CHARLES 1. BALL,

0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNORS TO CHAIN BELT COMPANY, OF MILWAU- KEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN DISCHARGE AND DISTRIBUTING MECHANISM FOR CONCRETE MIXERS Application filed January 20, 1931.

This invention relates to discharging and distributing mechanism for concrete mixers and more particularly for mixers of the transit type and has for one of its objects to provide apparatus of this character which will be simple in construction, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and more efficient in use than those which have been heretofore proposed.

A further object of the invention is to prop vide discharge and distributing mechanism for transit mixers which includes a distributing chute adapted in the discharge position to receive concrete from the mixing or transporting receptacle and to transfer such concrete to points at a distance from the vehicle, said chute being so mounted that it may be swung to, a position at the side of the receptacle during the travel of the vehicle to and from the point of use.

A still further object of the invention is to provide efiicient means for suspending the distributing chute in operative position relative to the discharge opening of the receptacle, which suspension means in conjunction with the other supports for the chute permitting the latter to be easily swung throughout an arc of substant ally 180 during the distribution of the concrete, the said suspension means being preferably arranged so that it may be detached at one end and thereby permit the chute to be moved to its transportation position at the side of the receptacle.

Withthe above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel details of construction and combinations of parts more fully hereinafter disclosed, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification in which like reference characters designate like parts in all the views Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a portion of a transit mixer of well-known con struction with the discharge and distributing mechanism constituting the present invention applied thereto, the parts being shown in the Serial No. 510,004.

positions they occupy during the distribution of theconcrete; c

Figure 2 is-a similar view as seen from the opposite side of the vehicle and showing the distributing chute in the position it occupies during travel of the vehicle to and from the point of use;

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the parts as shown in Figure 1 with the transortation position of the distributing chute illustrated in dotted lines;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail sectional view of the concrete receiving hopper, the track-way mounted thereon and the trolley associated with the said track-way, which constitute a portion of the chute suspension means;

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of the trolley mechanism;

Figure 6 is a detail longitudinal sectional view of the universal pivotal connection employed for the distributing chute;

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view through the said universal connection;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing a portion of the hopper removed, for use with certain types 0 mixer construction; and

Figure 9 is a similar view,partly in section, illustrating a stop construction which may be emplo ed for limiting the swinging moigement of t e chute-supporting arm in one direction.

Referring more particularly to the said drawings, 10 indicates generally a well-known form of transit mixer having vertical frame members 11, and a mixing or transporting receptacle 12, provided with the usual end discharge opening 13 through which the mixed concrete is delivered, as will be readil understood by those skilled in the art. ounted upon the said frame members 11 in position to receive concrete which may be discharged through the openings 13, is a hopper 14 which is preferably substantially frustoconical, as clearly shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the smaller or discharge end of which is at the bottom. The said hopper discharges the concrete received from the receptacle 12 into a distributing chute 15 which is of such length as may be necessary to transfer the concrete the desired distance from the vehicle.

The receiving end of the said chute 15 is mounted upon one end of an arm 16 by means of a universal pivotal mounting, here shown as comprising a stud 17 carried by the said arm 16 and having the substantially spherical head 18 which is detachably received in a socket member 19 carried by the said chute 15. The other end of the said arm 16 is pivotally connected as at 20 to one of the upright frame members 11 to have substantially horizontal swinging movements so that the said arm, together with the chute 15, may be swung from the positions shown in Fi ures l and 3, wherein the receiving end 0 the chute is positioned directly below the hopper 14, to the position shown in Figure 2 wherein the chute is disposed at one side and substantially parallel to the axis of the receptacle 12. In this position the arm 16 still supports the receiving end of the chute 15, while the free end is received and supported by a second arm 21 rigidly mounted upon the horizontal frame members 11a. This is the transportation position of the chute and as will be readily a parent from Figure 3 the chute is thus carried in a position in which it does not project beyond the side limits of the vehicle and constitute a traffic hazard.

In order to support the free or outer end of the chute 15 when in its operative position, there is preferably provided suspension means which will permit of the free pivotal movement of the chute about its universal pivotal connection 17, whereby it may be swung through an arc of substantially 180 to distribute the concrete to as many different points as possible without moving the vehicle. Said suspension means may comprise a rod, chain or cable 25, the ends of which are attached at 26 adjacent the free end of the chute 15 and which rod or cable is attached at its midpoint to a strap or bar member 27, see Figures 3, 4 and 5, which member is preferably provided with a series of apertures 28 for the reception of a bolt 29 carried by a trolley member 30, whereby there is provided an adjustable connection between the members 27 and 30 for lengthening and shortening the suspension means.

The said trolley member 30 is provided with a stud or shaft 31 on wh ch is journalled a trolley roller 32 which is adapted to be h detachably mounted upon a track-way 33 carried by the hopper 14. The said trackway as herein shown, comprises a pipe or tube which is bent to conform substantially to the arc of the upper edge of the hopper 14 and which may be secured to the said edge b welding or any other suitable manner. t will be understood, of course, that the said track-way is arranged concentric with the universal connection 17 when the latter is in the position shown in Figures 1 and 3, so that swinging movements of the chute about the said pivotal connection 17 will be followed by the suspension means 25 through movements of its trolley 32 upon the said track-way.

When the chute is moved to the transpon tation position shown in Figure 2 the trolley roller 32 is preferably disengaged from the track-way 33 and the trolley together with the cable 25 is positioned within the chute 15.

The universal pivotal connection 18, 19, not only permits of the horizontal swinging movements of the chute 15 during distribution, but also of vertical movements thereof when the suspension means 25, 27 and 30 is adjusted to raise or lower the discharge end of the chute; and due to the cut-away portion further permits the lateral tilting of the chute when in the transportation position, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 3. A transverse bolt or key 196 is preferably passed through the member 9 in cooperative relation to the spherical head 18 to prevent the unintentional separation of the parts.

The hopper 14 as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, may comprise the side plates 14a and a curved end or plate member 14?) suitably secured together to provide the frustoconical construction above mentioned. In some forms of transit mixers the mixing blades within the drum are so arranged as to throw the concrete out of the drum in such a manner as to render unnecessary the end member 14?). With such mixers these members may, therefore, be removed as illustrated in F i ure 8, the side plates 14a, however, being retained in order to prevent concrete from being thrown laterally beyond the sides of the chute 15. 1

In order to limit the swinging movements of the arm 16 and prevent the said arm and the receiving end of the chute 15 from coming into contact with the drum 12 or the frame members 11, suitable stop mechanism may be provided such for example as that illustrated in Figure 9. As here shown the stop comprises an arm 35 pivoted as at 36 to a bracket 37 which may be secured to the transverse frame members 110. The arm 35 is of such length that its free end will be engaged b the arm 16 as shown in Figure 9 when t e receiving end of the chute 15 is in proper position beneath the opper 14. Springs 38 preferably extend between the swinging arm 35 and the rigid brackets 37 and serve to hold the stop arm 35 in either its horizontal position illustrated, or in a vertical position, should it be swung down to bring the lower end of the spring to the right of the pivot 36 as will be readily understood.

In order to prevent the arm 16 from swinging away from the stop 35 unintentionally, thereby displacing the receiving end of the chute 15 relative to the hopper 14, the said secured to said frame arm 16 may be provided with a latch member 16a, engageable with a keeper member 35a carried by the stop member 35. The latter member in such case is provided with an upwardly extending rod 35?), adapted to be enaged by the receiving end of the chute 15 as it swings downwardly about the universal pivot 18, the said engagement serving to depress the stop arm 35 against the action of the springs 38, releasing the keeper 35a from the catch 16a, and permitting the arm 16 to be swung about its pivot 20 to transportation position, as above described.

When the chute 15 is being used for distribution, the stop arm 35 will occupy the horizontal position shown in Figure However, if it be desired to discharge concrete without employing the chute, the latter may be left in its transportation position, and the arm 35 swung downwardly to a vertical position, where it will be out of the path of concrete falling from the hopper 14.

While one form of the invention has been illustrated and described it is obvious that those skilled the art may vary the details of construction as well as the precise arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention, and therefore it is not wished to be limited to the above disclosure except as may be required .by the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a concrete mixer, the combination with a frame and a mixing receptacle having a discharge opening, of a chute outside of said receptacle for receiving concrete discharged through said opening; and an arm pivotally for supporting said chute in receiving position relative to said opening, said arm and chute being movable about said pivot to bring said chute to a nonreceiving position adjacent said receptacle.

2. In a concrete mixer, the combination with a frame and a mixing receptacle having a discharge opening, of a chute outside of said receptacle for receiving concrete discharged through said opening; an arm pivotally secured to said frame for supporting said chute in receiving position relative to sai opening, said arm and chutekbeing movable about said pivot to bring said chute to a nonreceiving position adjacent said receptacle; and means for receiving and holding said chute in said non-receiving position.

3. In a concrete mixer, the combination with a mixing receptacle having a discharge opening, of a chute outside of said receptacle for receiving concrete discharged through said opening; means for mounting said chute for substantially horizontal swinging movement to and from its receiving position relative to said opening; and a universal connection between said chute and mounting means.

4. In a transit concrete mixer, the combnation with a mixing receptacle raving a discharge opening, of a distributing chute outside of said receptacle for receiving concrete discharged through said opening; and means for mounting said chute for substantially horizontal swinging movement from its receiving position at one end of said receptacle to a non-receiving or transportation position adjacent said receptacle.

5. In a transit concrete mixer having a mixing receptacle provided with a discharge opening, a d?stributing chute; a swinging arm supporting one end of said chute, Whereby it-may be moved from a transportation position adjacent said receptacle to a discharging position adjacent said opening; a pivotal connection between said chute and arm, whereby the chute may be swung independently of sad arm'; and a suspension member, one end of which is connected to said chute and the other end of which is connected to a relatively fixed portion of the machine and arranged to freely permit said swinging movements.

6. In a transit concrete mixer, a mixing receptacle having a discharge opening; a hopper for receiving concrete discharged through said opening;'a distributing chute, one end of which is pivotally mounted for swinging movements below said hopper; a suspension member extending from adjacent the other end of sa d chute to said hopper; and a traveling connection between said suspension member and hopper.

7. In a transit concrete mixer. a mixing receptacle having a discharge opening; a hopper for receiving concrete discharged through said opening; a distributing chute, one end of which is pivotally mounted for swinging movements below said hopper; a trackway on said hopper; a trolley movable on said trackway; and suspension means extending between, said trol ey and the other end portion of said chute.

8. In a transit concrete mixer. a frame; a mixing receptacle having a discharge openin a hopper mounted on said frame for receiving concrete discharged through said opening; an arm pivotally mounted on said frame for substantially horizontal sw'nging movements; and a distributing chute universally pivotally connected to said arm and movable therewith from a concrete-receiving position beneath said hopper to a transportation position at the side of sa d receptacle.

9. In a transit concrete mixer. a frame: a mixing receptacle having a discharge opening; a hopper mounted on said frame for receiving concrete discharged through said opening: an arm pivotally mounted on said frame for substantial y horizontal swinging movements; a distributing chute universally pivotally connected to said arm and movable therewith from a concrete-receiving position beneath said hopper to a transportation position at the side of said receptacle; and adjustable detachable suspension means between said chute and hopper.

10. In a transit concrete mixer, a frame; a mixing receptacle having a discharge open ing; a hopper mounted on said frame for receiving concrete discharged through said opening; an arm pivotally mounted on said frame for substantially horizontal swinging movements; a distributing chute, one end of which is universally pivotally connected to said arm, said chute being movable with said arm about the first named pivotal mounting from a concrete-receiving position below said hopper to a transportation position at the side of said receptacle; a trackway on said hopper; a trolley detachably mounted on said trackway; and suspension connections between said trolley and the free end portion of said chute.

11. In a transit concrete mixer, a mixing receptacle having a discharge opening; a distributing chute pivotally mounted for swinging movements to and from a receiving position below said opening; and a stop for preventing said chute from swinging against said receptacle.

12. In a transit concrete mixer, a rnixing receptacle having a discharge openlng; a hopper for receiving concrete discharged through said opening; a distributing chute pivotally mounted for swinging movements to and from a receiving position below said hopper; and a stop for preventing said chute from swinging against said receptacle, said stop being movable when the chute 1s not employed to a position out of the path of concrete falling from said hopper.

13. In a transit concrete mixer, a mixing receptacle having a discharge opening; a distributing chute for receiving concrete from said opening; a swinging support for sald chute, whereby it may be swung to and from a receiving position below said opening; a stop for limiting movement of said support in one direction; and means for temporarily connecting said stop and support to prevent unintentional movement of the support in the other direction.

14. In a transit concrete mixer, a mixing receptacle having a discharge opening; a distributing chute for receiving concrete from said opening; a swinging support for said chute, whereby it may be swung to and from a receiving position below said opening; a stop for limiting movement of said support and chute in one direction; means for detachably connecting said stop and support to prevent unintentional movement of the support and chute in the other direction; and means operable by said chute for releasing connecting means to permit swinging of said support and chute.

15. In a vehicle having a load-carrying receptacle provided with an end discharge opening, means exterior of said receptacle for directing material discharged from said opening; means for receiving said material from said directing means and transferring it to a point removed therefrom; and means for mounting said transfer means for horizontal swinging movement from a non-receptive transportation position at the side of said receptacle to a position to receive material from said directing means, and vice versa.

16. In a vehicle having a load-carrying receptacle provided with an end dischar e opening, means for receiving material discharged from said 0 ening and transferring it to a point removed therefrom; supporting means for said transfer means, mounted for horizontal swinging movements, whereby said transfer means may be moved from a non-receptive position at the side of the receptacle to a receptive position relative to said opening at the end of the receptacle, and vlce versa; and a connection between said supporting means and transfer means whereby the latter may be moved relative to said supportmg means and independently of the swlnging movements thereof.

In testimony whereof We aflix our signatures.

ALEXANDER FOSTER, JR. CHARLES F. BALL. 

